The Principal Sessions Judge, Chennai, P. Devadoss, on Monday ordered issue of summons to former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her appearance on June 21 in connection with two defamation cases.
The complaints were filed by the City Public Prosecutor (CPP) on behalf of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. One complaint alleged that Ms. Jayalalithaa had made a statement as though the Chief Minister had directed the Chief Secretary to cut the remuneration of Rs.300 given to ex-servicemen deployed on election duty. The other complaint was that she said the Chief Minister had threatened the Election Commission, and with the help of a Central Minister was trying to create panic among voters in order to bury democracy.
The Judge took the complaints on file and ordered issue of the summons for Ms. Jayalalithaa's appearance.
Allegation of malpractices
Mr. Devadoss also ordered issue of summons for the appearance of P. Nedumaran, president of the Ulaga Tamizhar Peramaippu (UTP), on June 20 in connection with a case pertaining to defaming the Chief Minister.
According to the complaint filed by the CPP, the UTP leader issued a statement, which was published on April 17, as though the Chief Minister was indulging in malpractices between the dates of polling and announcement of results.
